Wednesday 4 November 2015

MY TOP 5 COMFORT READS


Autumn equals all things comfortable. I think I've read about 1001 blog posts about crisp autumn leaves and pumpkin spice lattes (which I tried for the first time the other day and was pleasantly surprised) so there's no use in me singing the same ol' tune. Instead, I thought I would share some of my comfort reads with you guys. Now that I'm back at uni I find myself constantly thinking about all the books I want to read next summer, and the books I wish I could spend my days re-reading. You know, the books you turn to when you've had a really crappy day. Or a book you take with you when you're away from home because it's like carrying a piece of everything that's familiar with you. The books that make you feel like you're getting a big warm bear hug. Characters that feel like family because you grew up reading about their lives. And for me, it's not just the story that makes up the comfort factor, it's also the edition I own. The yellowing pages, the broken spines, and even the font! It's all part of the comfort read package.

So, in no particular order, here are my comfort reads:

1) The Harry Potter Series

Ok I know I said this wasn't in any particular order but HP has to be on the top of this list. Particularly the Philosopher's Stone. This book carries all our favourite things about HP, and everything seems extra magical because it's where we were introduced to it all for the first time. Creaky little Diagon Alley, Chocolate Frogs, Hagrid, The Great Hall, and the feasts! I've had a craving for treacle tart ever since.

2) Pride and Prejudice 

Some of you guys probably know that I read this for the first time when I was 11! I was quite an aspirational reader (still am I think) but of course, I did not understand the plot at all. It became a little clearer the second time I read it, and by the third, I was sold! Having read it so many times since, P & P has become a dear old friend to me. Always welcoming, warm, and wonderfully familiar.

3) The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon!!)

Not a part of my childhood, but a big part of my teenage years. This has actually been my favourite series since the age of 12, I just think Paolini writes with such perfect intricacy, and his character's and world building are absolutely brilliant. Plus, it's all about dragons, and their riders which is EPIC. I'm obsessed with the history of Alagaesia (despite it being a fictional creation...) but that's just how great his world is!

4) Meg Cabot's novels

Meg Cabot isn't really mentioned in the book blogging community, which I find a little strange. I haven't read anything new by her in a few years but my god, her books were my life between the ages of 12-16! If you're ever looking for a quick, gripping, and fun read, Meg Cabot is your girl! Personally, The Princess Diaries was my least favourite of hers, I just could not deal with how ridiculous Mia was. But I LOVED The Mediator series, and some her of her standalone novels like Tommy Sullivan Is A Freak (a.k.a Pants On Fire) were so great! Agh, I can't wait to pick up these fun little comfort reads next summer! Oh and a quick fact: The edition I read of Pride and Prejudice the first time had an introduction by Meg Cabot who happens to be a huge fan of the novel, and Austen in general. The cover was really cute too ;)

5) Beautiful Disaster 

Jamie Mcguire's novels often contain relationships that are a little unhealthy, and the novels themselves have gaping holes in the plot. But sometimes it's nice to put all my personal opinions aside, and let myself sink into the story, which is a perfectly romantic tragedy (without the romeo and juliet double suicide). 

There you have it! In times of quiet tragedy, these are the books/authors I'd most likely turn to. Of course, the list is probably longer, but if I dared to continue this would end up being an endless post :')


Do you guys have comfort reads? What are they, and why are they the books you turn to? 

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13 comments

  1. This is such a lovely post :) it's nice to know which books are dear to you! The Harry Potter series (and especially book one, like you) is definitely my number one comfort read! Did you read them as you were growing up? I think that's part of the magic :) Wow, I can't believe you first read Pride and Prejudice when you were 11 years old! Very ambitious reader :) I still haven't read it haha. I really want to read some Jane Austen (and other classics) in the coming months! I also haven't read, but would love to read, Eragon and the other 2 books. They sound really good and I recently read Seraphina (a young adult dragon book which I thought I wouldn't enjoy) and LOVED it!! x

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah! The HP series was a HUGE part of my childhood... it was pretty much my entire childhood :') Classics are definitely worth trying out, Austen is basically like chick lit, and P&P/Persuasion are my two favourite Bronte novels, but Jane Eyre is definitely worth a read! You should 100% read Eragon, the first book may seem a little slow BUT IT'S ALL WORTH IT IN THE END KJDFHKJGHK. OMG Seraphina sounds like my kind of book! I need to check it out ASAP, thanks for the suggestion!

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  2. I don't really reread...but if I do, it's DEFINITELY a Stiefvater book. <3 I've been slowly rereading the Shiver trilogy over this year and ajfdksalfd they just are so homey and beautiful and full of memories. :')

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    1. ugh omg you're making me want to read everything Stiefvater RIGHT NOW. this is dangerous. i might have to drop out of uni just to make time for all the books on my tbr :')

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  3. I reread The Order of The Phoenix literally countless times when I was in Grade 11, because by then I'd read all the other books at my school library, and JKR books were the only ones I was willing to reread, and all the other 6 books had been stolen (yes this happens in Indian school libraries. People are vicious :/). I literally know whole passages by heart :D

    Oh, you're an early P&P reader too! High five! :) My favourite Meg Cabot books are the 1800 series, but I think I've outgrown her books now. I tried to reread the last book in the 1800 series a couple of weeks back, and it failed to hold my interest :( (Thank God someone else shares my opinion of Mia. I didn't bother to read past two books).

    Since I'm a major mood reader, I dont really have go-to books for rereading, but browse through a pick whatever I want. Right now, I really want to reread The Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

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    1. knowing whole passages of HP novels by heart is GOALS tbh :')

      I read a couple of Cabot's 1800 series when I was like 14 and loved them at the time, but for all I know I might have outgrown her novels too :( I hope not though! Ugh, Mia was awful. It might have made Cabot's career but it also made her known for creating the world's most irritating character ever.

      OMG graceling is so high up on my TBR! SO MANY BOOKS SOOOO LITTLE TIME.

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  4. Thank you! They're great aren't they :')

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  5. Fascinating choices! I love Caitlin Moran's novels, they definitely comfort me and make me giggle...a lot! I've only just discovered your blog but I really like your posts! Keep up the fab work! :)

    www.gabriellaloves.com

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    1. I've never actually read anything by Moran, but her feminist fiction sounds like my cup of tea!
      Thanks so much for your kind words Gabriella!

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  6. Oh, ERAGON!! I loved those books so much when I was younger... they really don't get the praise they deserve, do they? And I totally agree on HP being a comfort read - whenever I'm feeling under the weather they're my first choice of story!
    Beth x
    www.thequietpeople.com

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    1. YOU'VE READ AND LOVED ERAGON?! THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY OMG.

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  7. I have never ever reread a book.. I know!! I think the first book I'll ever reread would be The Book Thief & The Perks of Being a Wallflower. These two are my absolute favorites alongside Harry Potter of course :)♥ Great post!

    PS, I'm a new follower of yours. I love your blog, it's SO pretty!!
    Jumana @ Books by Jay

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    1. Omg I can't believe you've never re-read?! :O but tbh I spent way too much time re-reading so I know all my favourite books off by heart, which kind of kills the fun of it when I want to read them again. So at least you'll enjoy your experience way more when you decide to read your favourite books again!

      Thanks for the follow! :')

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